Electroslag welding machine

ABSTRACT

An electroslag welding machine for depositing or casting a layer of metal onto an article, comprising a frame means having means thereon for supporting an article, welding electrode means carried on a first movable portion of the frame means and disposed in close proximity to said article for depositing weld metal onto said article, cooling and shaping means carried on a second movable portion of the frame means spaced from the first movable portion and disposed in closely spaced relationship to said article to define a space therebetween, the welding electrode means extending into the space between the article and the cooling and shaping means, and drive means carried by the frame means and connected to at least one of said movable portions to cause movement thereof, said first and second movable portions being connected together for movement in unison to thus cause movement of said welding electrode means and said cooling and shaping means together relative to the article to deposit weld metal on the article and to cool and shape the weld metal deposited on said article.

United States Patent Nuccel Primary Examiner-R. F. Staubly 7 AssistantExaminer-L. A. Schutzman Att0rney-Luke A. Mattare et a1.

57 ABSTRACT An electroslag welding machine for depositing or casting alayer of metal onto an article, comprising a frame means having meansthereon for supporting an article, welding electrode means carried on afirst movable portion of the frame means and disposed in close proximityto said article for depositing weld metal onto said article, cooling andshaping means carried on a second movable portion of the frame meansspaced from the first movable portion and disposed in closely spacedrelationship to said article to define a space therebetween, the weldingelectrode means extending into the space between the article and thecooling and shaping means, and drive means carried by the frame meansand connected to at least one of said movable portions to cause movementthereof, said first and second movable portions being connected togetherfor movement in unison to thus cause movement of said welding electrodemeans and said cooling and shaping means together relative to thearticle to deposit weld metal on the article and to cool and shape theweld metal deposited on said article.

44 Claims, 26 Drawing Figures PATENTEUHEB 4 I975 SHEET 02 OF 10PNENTEQEEE 4m SHEET 0 3 SHEEI" USDF 10 FIG. 9.

PATENTEUUEB 4m 3377.106

SHEET UBUF 10 FIG. /0.

PATENTEDUEC 4197s 3.777.106

SHE-ET 07oF 10 FIG. l2.

FIG/4.

PATENTEU 41975 SHEET DSOF 10 FIG/8A.

PATENTEUUEE 41915 3.777.106

sum um 10 FIG .22.

1 ELECTROSLAG WELDING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This inventionrelates to an electroslag welding machine or apparatus and, inparticular, to an electroslag welding machine for depositing or castingweld metal onto articles such as steel mill rolls and the like in orderto resurface such articles.

A portion or all of the surface of large, solid, cylindrically shapedrollers used in steel mills and the like wears away after repeated useof the rollers and the rollers accordingly must frequently be resurfacedor discarded. Conventional practice is to grind away approximatelyone-half inch or the like of the surface of such rollers and then tovplace a coating of weld metal thereon. The coating of weld metal mustthen be dressed or finished in order to produce a steel mill roll havinga suitable exterior surface configuration. This process as practiced inthe prior art is wasteful and is costly and time consuming.

The present invention provides an electroslag welding resurfacingmachine for resurfacing steel millrolls regardless of the size, lengthor-material of the rolls.

Further, the electroslag welding resurfacing machine of the presentinvention can be used for resurfacing various other articles, such ashollow tubes, or gear teeth or the like, and can even be used to castheavy wall tubing of any type material which lends itself to theelectroslag welding process.

In accordance with the present invention, an electroslag weldingresurfacing machine is provided, including a plurality of verticallyextending columns arranged in supporting relationship with a roofplatform secured to the top thereof. Support means is provided in theframe means for supporting a large steel mill roll or the like thereinon the base of the frame and at least two vertically spaced platformsare arranged to be moved along the support columns and relative to theroll. One of the platforms carries a plurality of electrode means andthe other platform carries a cooling and shaping means or mold disposedin "close, surrounding relationship to the roll. The electrode meansextend 'into the space between the cooling and shaping means and theroll for depositing weld metal into the space and onto the roll,

and the electrode means are caused to oscillate back and forth acrossthe surface of the roll as they are moved therealong to insure even heatdistribution and to maintain uniform penetration of weld metal into theroll. Drive means is supported on the frame means for raising andlowering the platforms and thus the welding means and cooling andshaping means relative to the roll to deposit weld metal onto the rolland to cool and shape the weld metal. The weld metal may be deposited onone side or several sides, or completely around the roll, or severaldifferent materials may be cast or deposited on the roll at differentlocations therearound.

The machine of the present invention includes a holding and centeringdevice which engages the steel mill roll or other article and holds itin properly located and centered relationship in the machine. Theholding and centering device is adjustable to accommodate steel millrolls or other articles of widely var'ing sizes and shapes and may beeither pneumatically, hydraulically or manually powered.

A steel mill rollor other article resurfaced in accordance with thepresent invention needs only a minimum of shaping or machining afterdeposition of metal thereon to provide .a desired exteriorconfiguration, and other articles, depending on how exacting therequirements are, may need no machining. Accordingly, a steel mill rollresurfaced in accordance with the invention is ready for use whenremoved from the machine except for minor touching up of some portionsof the surface thereof. For example, a starting tab or plate is providedat one end of the roll for beginning the molten pool of weld metal, anda finishing tab or plate is provided at the other end of the roll forenabling the molten pool of weld metal to extend slightly above the topof the roll or other work, and these starting and finishing tabs areremoved subsequent to the resurfacing operation.

With the electroslag welding machine of the present invention, largesteel mill rolls or other articles are quickly and easily resurfacedwith a layer of weld metal and only a minimum number of operations arerequired to be performed on the steel mill roll or other article inorder to provide a smooth, properly configured exterior surface of theroll or other article.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION An object of this invention is to provide anelectroslag welding machine for resurfacing articles such as steel millrolls or the like, wherein a layer of weld metal is deposited or castonto the article by the electroslag welding method, and wherein themachine is designed to accommodate rolls or other articles of variousdifferent sizes and materials.

Another object of the invention is to provide an electroslag weldingresurfacing machine for resurfacing workpieces such as large steel millrolls and the like, wherein a water cooled mold means is positionedadjacent the workpiece, said mold means having nonlinear water passagemeans therein extending from the top to the bottom thereof to effectcirculation of cooling water from the top of a molten pool of weld metalto the bottom thereof in a circular or non-linear path to thus achievegreater heat transfer while using less water than conventional machines.

A further object of the invention is to provide an oscillating meanscarried on an electroslag welding machine for oscillating a plurality ofelectrodes mounted to the oscillating means so that the electrodes arecaused to move along a predetermined area of an article to deposit alayer of weld metal thereon.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an electroslagwelding machine having a cooling and shaping means or mold positionedadjacent an article to be resurfaced, said cooling and shaping meanshaving a water passage means therein and a plurality of inlets in thetop thereof and a plurality of outlets at the bottom thereof to effect acirculation of water from the top to the bottom of the cooling andshaping means through the plurality of passage means to cool and shapeweld metal deposited on said article.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of anelectroslag welding machine in accordance with the invention. FIG. 2 isa sectional view of the machine of FIG. 1 looking down on the basethereof and showing the tracks leading to the base with a car thereonfor transporting a roll or other article onto the base of themachine.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the base of themachine, a portion of the lower platform, and the support brackets forsupporting a steel mill roll or the like, and a cooling and shapingmeans positioned in operative relationship with the lower end of theroll or the like, with the cooling and shaping means advanced part wayup the roll.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 2'.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view in elevation of the car and aportion of the roll support means thereon and is taken along line 5-5 inFIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a portion ofthe car and means for elevating the roll and is taken along line 6-6 inFIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view in elevation, with a portion thereof brokenaway, of a machine of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the machine taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view of the'machine looking down on thetop of the upper platform as is taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view looking down on the top of thelower platform and is taken along line 10-10 in FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is a vertical sectional view looking upwardly toward theunderside of the upper platform and is taken along line 11-11 in FIG. 7.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged sectional view, with a portion thereof brokenaway, of one of the lift screws for lifting the platform and showing itsmanner of connection with the roof of the frame and with the upper ortop platform.

FIG. 13 is a vertical sectional view of the top centering and supportmeans for engaging the upper end of a steel mill roll or the likepositioned in the frame.

FIG. 14 is a view in elevation of a modified top centering and supportmeans and showing an enlarged roll engaging adapter or chuck on one endthereof for engaging and supporting a relatively large roll or the like.

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary view of the underside of a portion of the upperplatform showing the drive means and control means for oscillating thewelding means of the invention.

FIG. 15A is an enlarged view of the control means for controlling theoscillation of the welding means.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged sectional view of the control means and is takenalong line 16-16 in FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the drive meansfor driving the oscillating means and is taken along line 17-17 in FIG.15.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged sectional view in elevation of a portion of theupper platform of the machine and showing the oscillating means andwelding means supported thereon in operative position relative to asteel mill roll or the like to be resurfaced.

FIG. 18A is a plan view of the turntable means on which the weldingmaterial supply containers are mounted.

FIG. 19 is an enlarged fragmentary view in section of a portion of theoscillating means and of a positioning roller engaged with the outerperiphery thereof.

FIG. 20 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a portion of theoscillating means and showing a support roller engaged therewith.

FIG. 21 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the base of themachine and the lower platform and showing the support brackets andcooling and shaping means positioned relative to the platform and a rollsupported thereon, the roll having a different roll journal than shownin FIG. 3, and the cooling and shaping means shown at the beginning ofthe operation.

FIG. 22 is an enlarged exploded sectional view of the cooling andshaping means and the supporting brackets therefor in position on thelower platform.

FIG. 23 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the quickdisconnect connection between the spacing columns and platforms.

FIG. 24 is a view similar to FIG. 23 of a modified quick disconnectconnection.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION An electroslag welding resurfacingmachine is indicated generally at l in FIG. 1 and comprises a frame Fincluding four vertically extending, spaced apart support columns 2, 3,4 and 5, preferably formed of H- section beams or the like. The supportcolumns are secured at their lower ends on a base B in an excavation ordepression E in a floor or supporting surface S, and a channel or trenchT opens through one side of the depression E. A pair of spaced aparttracks or rails R are secured in the bottom of the trench T forsupporting a wheeled vehicle or car C thereon for movement therealong.An upstanding centering fixture or pedestal P is in the center of thebase B between the ends of the rails R, and the car C has a pair ofspaced apart, parallel, forwardly extending side portions 6 and 7 whichextend on opposite sides of the pedestal P when the car C is positionedin the recess E.

A rectangular roof platform 8 is secured on the upper ends of thesupport columns 2, 3, 4 and 5 and has a handrail 9 thereon about theedge thereof. A rectangularly shaped upper platform 10 is mounted on theframe F with the columns 2, 3, 4 and 5 slidably extended through thecorner portions thereof. The upper platform 10 also has a handrail 11thereon to prevent a workman or machine operator or the like fromfalling from the platform 10.

A similar but smaller rectangularly shaped lower platform 12 is alsomounted on the frame F for vertical movement along the support columns2, 3, 4 and 5 and is held in predetermined vertically spacedrelationship relative to the upper platform 10 by means of a pluralityof vertically extending spacer columns 13, 14, 15 and 16 removablysecured at their opposite ends to the upper and lower platforms so thatthe upper and lower platforms move in unison.

A plurality of elongate, vertically extending screw threaded liftingrods or screws 17, 18, 19 and 20 extend in closely spaced parallelrelationship with the support columns 2, 3, 4 and 5 and are suitablythreadably connected to the upper platform 10 for lifting the upperplatform and thus the lower platform 12, which is connected to the upperplatform by means of the spacer columns 13, 14, 15 and 16. The liftingrods 17, 18, 19 and 20 are attached at their upper ends to the roof 8adjacent the corners thereof and are connected through suitable gearingand the like with a suitable drive means 21 on the roof 8. The drivemeans for lifting the platforms 10 and 12 could equally as well beprovided in the base of the machine, if desired.

An article or workpiece to be resurfaced, such as a large, solid steelmill roll 22 or the like having journals 22a and 22b on the oppositeends thereof is supported on one end thereof with its longitudinal axisvertically disposed. The roll 22 is shown in phantom lines in FIG. 1about to be positioned in the machine and is supported on a roll supportadaptor sleeve 23 which is in turn supported on a roll support bracket24.

In full lines in FIG. 1, the roll 22 is shown in supported relationshipon top of the pedestal P in approximately centered relationship in themachine. An entry slot or opening 0 is formed through one side of theplatform 12 to enable movement of the roll 22 therethrough forpositioning of the roll on the pedestal P..

A water cooled mold means 25 for cooling and shaping weld metaldeposited on the roll 22 is supported on top of the lower platform 12and is positioned in surrounding relationship to' the roll 22. The moldmeans 25 comprises a cooling ring bracket support 26 and a cooling ringholder bracket 27 within which a water cooled cooling ring 28 ismounted.

A plurality of welding means 29-extend at their lower ends into thespace between the cooling ring 28 and roll 22 and are attached at theirupper ends to a unique and novel oscillating plate 30 attached to theunderside of upper platform 10, and a plurality of supply means orcontainers 31 for welding wires or bars or other welding material, aremounted on the top of the upper platform 10.

An upper roll support and centering means 32 is secured to the roof 8and extends vertically downwardly therefrom through an opening 33 in thecenter of the upper platform 10 and into supporting engagement with theupper end of the roll 22 for holding the roll in centered relationshipwithin the machine.

A power supply guide mans 33' is positioned adjacent one side of themachine 1 for holding and guiding a plurality of power supply cables 34which extend from a suitable source of electricity or hydraulic orpneumatic power'over the guide 33' and over a guide 35 on the machine toa suitable distribution means 36 on the machine.

Further details of construction of the components'of the electroslagwelding machine are illustrated in FIGS. 3 through 24.

The tracks or rails R in the trench T and recess E are of conventionaldesign and preferably are similar or identical to railroad tracks orrails, and the base B, recess E, trench T and pedestal P are allpreferably constructed of concrete or the like and may be suitablyreinforced if desired.

The pedestal P is preferably rectangular in crosssectionalconfiguration, although it may have any other desired configuration, anda substantially flat, rectangular steel plate 37 is affixed to the topof the pedestal P. A circular, raised locating or centering boss 38 issecured in the middle of the plate 37 on top of the pedestal P foraccurately locating a roll and its supporting structure on the pedestal.

The car C may be self-propelled, manually gear driven or manuallypropelled, as desired, and includes a plurality of wheels W positionedto roll along the tops of the rails R. The forwardly extending sideportions 6 and 7 include vertically movable elongate lifts 39 and 40,respectively, arranged to beraised and lowered relative to the sideportions 6 and 7 by suitable lifting means 41 operatively associatedtherewith and with a suitable motive power means, not shown, in the carC. Guide pin and bushing means 42 and 42' are also operativelyassociated with the lifts 39 and for guiding the lifts and maintainingthem in proper position during up and down movement thereof.

The roll support bracket 24 for the steel mill roll 22 or the like hasan enlarged rectangular base plate 43 with an opening 44 in the centerthereof of approximately the same size as the centering boss 38 on topof the pedestal P. A plurality of openings 45 are formed through thebase 43 adjacent the corners thereof for cooperating with a plurality ofpins 46 on the lifts 39 and 40 of the car to prevent the roll supportand roll from sliding on the car during handling thereof and to properlylocate the roll and support bracket therefor on the car so that thesupport bracket and roll are accurately positioned for placement on topof the pedestal.

The roll support bracket also includes a cylindrical, upstanding supportcylinder 47 welded or otherwise suitably secured at its lower end to thebase 43 slightly outwardly of the opening 44 therein and has an annularsupport ring 48 suitably secured as by welding or the like to the upperend thereof. A plurality of radially extending reinforcing flutes orwebs 49 are secured to the base 43 and support cylinder 47 forreinforcing the roll support bracket. The annular ring 48 at the top ofthe roll support bracket has an annular notch or recess 50 at the upperinner marginal edge thereof.

The adapter sleeve 23 has a similar annular ring 51 with downwardlydirected lip or flange 52 therein received in the notch 50 on the rollsupport bracket 24. The ring 51 is welded or otherwise suitably securedto the lower end of a spacing sleeve or cylinder 53, selected tocorrespond to the size and shape of a particular roll to be supportedthereon. The spacing cylinder has an annular support ring 54 welded orotherwise suitably secured to the upper end thereof.

A starting ring 55 is welded to the underside of the end of the roll 22substantially flush with the outer surface of the roll and a startingplate 56 is welded or otherwise secured to the lower end of the startingring 55 for cooperation with the mold means 25 to form a well for themolten puddle of weld metal which is formed in the space between themold 25 and the roll 22. The starting'plate'56 rests on top of theannular ring-54 and thecylinder or sleeve 53 which is in turn supportedin proper aligned relationship on top of the roll support bracket 24.Accordingly, the boss 38 and opening 44 in the roll support bracketaccurately align the roll support bracket on the pedestal P and the rollsupport bracket and cylinder 53 cooperate with the starting plate 56 androll 22 to accurately center the roll 22 on the base of the machine.

The upper end of the roll 22 is engaged and supported in properlycentered relationship by the upper support and centering means 32. Asseen in FIGS. 7, 13 and 14, the upper support and centering means 32comprises a vertically downwardly extending cylindrical housing 57suitably secured at its upper end to the underside of roof 8 as by bolts58 or the like which permit limited lateral adjustment of the supportand centering means 32 relative to the frame for alignment purposes. Thehousing 57 of the support and centering means 32 is suitably reinforcedby means of a plurality of webs or flanges 59 welded or otherwisesuitably secured to the housing 57 and to an annular base plate 60 atthe upper end of the housing 57. A telescoping extension 61 is slidablyreceived in the housing 57 and projects vertically downwardly therefromthrough a sleeve 62 in the lower end of housing 57. The telescopicextension 61 has a suitable drive rod 63 connected therewith and to asuitable drive means 64 on top of the roof such as a hydraulic,mechanical or pneumatic means, for effecting raising and lowering of thetelescopic extension 61. A suitable adapter assembly such as a lathewelder chuck or the like 65 is secured to the lower end of thetelescoping extension 61' for engaging and gripping the upper end of theroll 22 to hold the roll in accurately centered relationship within themachine. The adapter assembly 65 can be changed to accommodate differentsize rolls. For example, in FIG. 14, a slightly modified upper supportand centering means 32 is illustrated and is substantially identicalwith the support and centering means 32 except that it has a larger rollengaging adapter assembly or chuck 65' at the lower end of thetelescoping extension 61' for engaging and supporting a larger roll 22'.

The drive means for raising and lowering the upper and lower platformsand 12 is seen best in FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 12. The drive means may be ofany suitable type, but preferably comprises an electric motor meansconnected with the lift rods or screws 17, 18, 19 and 20 throughsuitable gearing. In a preferred construction, a first motor 66 issecured on top of the roof 8 and is connected through a timing belt 67with a suitable drive shaft 68 which is in turn connected through afirst chain coupling 69 with a 121 right angle drive 70. A pair of deiveshafts 71 and 72 extend in opposite directions from the right angledrive 70 and are connected to suitable cone drive, hollow shaft wormgears 73 and 74 at the corners of the roof 8. The worm gears 73 and 74are suitably connected with the lift screws 17 and 20, and preferablyhave a drive ratio of 40:1. The motor 66 is also connected through asuitable coupling 75 with another drive shaft 76 and chain coupling 69,right angle drive 70 and drive shafts 71' and 72' with cone drive,hollow shaft worm gears 73 and 74 at the opposite side of the roof 8 andin operative connection with the lift screws 18 and 19 at the other sideof the machine. The motor 66 is preferably a suitable electric motorrated at 20 horsepower and 1,750 rpm.

A second motor 76' is also connected with the drive shafts and wormgears for driving the platforms and is connected with the drive shaftsthrough a timing belt 78, Winsmith single reduction reducer 79, chaincoupling 80, a Warner base mounted electro module clutch assembly 81,and a timing belt 82 connecting the clutch assembly 81 with the driveshafts 68 and 76. The motor 76' is preferably a 3 horsepower electricmotor rated at 1,750 rpm. The motor 66 is normally used for raising theplatforms 10 and 12.

The lift screws 17, 18, 19 and 20 are all substantially identical inconstruction, and only lift screw 17 will be described, description ofscrew 17 sufficing for all.

As seen in FIG. 12, the upper end of the lift screw 17 extends upwardlythrough the roof 8 and is attached to the roof 8 by means of a taperroller thrust bearing 83. The cone drive hollow shaft worm gear 73 isoperatively connected with the upper end of the lift screw 17 whichprojects above the upper surface of the roof 8, and the lower portion ofthe lift screw 17 is threaded at 85 and extends through the upperplatform 10 and through a Saginaw ball screw nut 86 secured to theunderside of the top platform 10. The lower end of lift screw 17 isreceived in a pedestal bearing 87 secured to the support column 2 forpreventing deflection thereof during operation of the lift means.

As noted previously, the lower platform 12 is connected with theupper'platform 10 for movement therewith by means of a plurality ofsubstantially identical vertically extending spacer columns 13, 14, 15and 16 removably secured at their opposite ends to the upper and lowerplatforms, respectively, adjacent the corners thereof. As seen best inFIGS. 10, 23 and 24, these spacer columns are semi-cylindrical in designand also serve to shield and protect the lift screws 17, 18, 19 and 20during operation of the machine. The lower end of each of the spacercolumns 13, 14, 15 and 16 is provided with a quick disconnect couplingto the lower platform 12 so that the spacer columns may be quickly andeasily disconnected from the lower platform 12 to permit independentraising and lowering of the upper platform 10 to provide additionalspace between the platforms.

As seen in FIG. 23, the quick disconnect coupling means on spacer column13, and on each of the other spacer columns, comprises a rectangularplate or flange 88 welded or otherwise suitably secured to the lower endof the spacer column, and the plate 88 and column 13 are secured to theplatform 12 by means of hex head cap screws or bolts 89 or the likeextended through opposite ends thereof andinto the platform. The spacercolumns are properly aligned relative to the platform by means of guidepins or dowels 90 securd to the platform and extended through openings91 in the plate 88.

A slightly modified quick disconnect or coupling means is illustrated inFIG. 24, and is similar to the coupling means illustrated in FIG. 23,except that a relatively thick spacer block 92 is interposed between theplate or flange 88' and the platform 12. The plate 88 is secured to thespacing block 92 by means of a plurality of hex head screws or bolts 93or the like extended through opposite ends of the plate 88' into thespacing block 92. The spacing block 92 is secured to the platform 12 bymeans of hex head screws or bolts 89 or the like and is suitably alignedrelative thereto by means of pins or dowels 90 and openings 91.

The relationship of the welding means 29 with the upper platform 10 andof the cooling and shaping means or mold 25 with the lower platform 12is seen best in FIGS. 7, 18, 19, 20 and 21.

The welding means is seen particularly in FIGS. 7, 9, 11 and 18 andcomprises a plurality of welding wire guides 94 such as pulleys or thelike secured to the upper platform 10 in upwardly spaced relationship tothe upper surface thereof and over which the welding wire or material95-is moved as it is withdrawn from the containers 31 to preventcrimping of the wires. After passing through the guides 94, the weldingwire is fed downwardly through rubber covered coil spring wire guides 96which extend vertically downwardly from the guides 94 through the upperplatform 10 to a plurality of welding heads or wire feeders 97,preferably of the LINDE EH-l type, which are adjustably-mounted to theoscillator ring 30 on the lower side of the upper platform 10 forfeeding the welding wire 95 downwardly through elongate, tubularelectrode guides 98 and, into the space between the mold 25 and the roll22. Any desired number of electrodes, wire feeders and welding wirecontainers may be provided on the upper platform, but in a preferredembodiment, 27 electrodes and associated structures are provided. Thewire feeders 97 are mounted to the oscillating ring 30 for movementrelative thereto in both vertical and lateral directions by means ofbracket assemblies 99 which are secured in a plurality of radiallyextending slots 100 in the oscillating ring. Each bracket assembly 99 isadjusted longitudinally of the slots'100 to effect lateral adjustment ofthe welding heads or wire feeders 97 to accommodate different sizerolls. The welding heads can also be adjusted vertically bymeans of avertically adjustable slide 99' of the bracket assembly 99.

The containers31 are mounted on rotatable tables 101 which are securedon the upper end of a shaft 102. A brake wheel 103 is secured to thelower end of shaft 102, and a brake block or pad 104 is engaged withwheel 103 for retarding rotation of the table 101. -An adjustment rod105 is connected with the brake shoe 104 for urging it against the brakewheel 103 with a desired, preselected pressure. Locknuts 106 arethreaded on the rod 105 to lock it in desired adjusted position.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 18, 19 and 20, the oscillator ring 30 issecured to the underside of platform 10 by means of a plurality ofalignment guide rollers 107 attached to the underside of the platformand in engagement with the outer periphery of the ring 30 to maintainthe position of'the ring 30. A plurality of support rollers 108 aresecured to the underside of the platform 10 and are engaged insupporting relationship within a U-shaped channel 109 formed in theouter peripheral edge of the ring 30. The oscillator ring 30' and theassociated welding means are caused to oscillate by means of a chain 110disposed in the U-shaped channel 109 around the oscillator ring andaround a sprocket 1 ll fixed on the lower end of a vertical shaft 112which is driven through a worm gear reducer arrangement 113 from asuitable motor 114 secured to the underside of the platform 10. I

As seen in FIG. 15, the motor 114 preferably comprises a dual vanehydraulic motor and is coupled to the worm gear reducer 113 through aMorse chain coupling 115. The chain 110 is of the double roller type andis tacked or affixed to the oscillator ring 30 by means of clamps or thelike 116 secured to the ring 30 at spaced intervals'around thecircumference thereof. The dual vane hydraulic motor 1 14 may be of anytype, but is preferably a Parker Hennifin dual vane model producing 10inch pounds of torque" at l psi. The motor 114 is operated through afail safe arrangement including a pair of Parker 'Hen'nifin PUTM-8 powerunits 117 and 118 connected with the motor 114 by suitable conduit mean119 and 120, and each consisting of a one gallon tank, a double solenoidthreeposition valve, a model D-l4 gear pump, and a 1% horsepower, 1,725rpm motor.

The amplitude of oscillation of the oscillating ring 30 and associatedwelding equipmentis controlled by an oscillating control means 121mounted to the underside of the platform and disposed in operativerelationship with the chain 110 and power units 117 and 118 foreffecting reversing of the motor 114 and the oscillator ring 30 andassociated welding equipment. As seen in FIG. 15, a and 16, theoscillating control means 121 comprises a housing 122 having a pair ofspindles or axles 123 and 124 mounted therein adjacent the oppositesides thereof. A sprocket wheel 125 is mounted for rotation on the axle123 and has a plurality of teeth 126 on the periphery thereof disposedin operative engagement with chain 110 so that movement of the chaincauses movement of the wheel 125. A second wheel 127 is mounted on axle124 for rotation relative thereto and has an enlarged diameter lowerportion 128 and a reduced diameter upper portion or hub 129. A suitablemeans such as a belt 130 or the like is positioned around an upstandinghub portion 131 on the sprocket wheel 125 and the hub 129 of wheel 127so that the wheel127 is caused to rotate in synchronization withrotation of wheel 125. A radially extending arm 132 is also pivotallymounted at one end thereof around the shaft or axle 124 and extendsbeyond the periphery of the enlarged diameter portion 128 of wheel 127.The outer end of arm 132 has a vertically extending limit switchengaging finger or cam 133 thereon and an adjusting lock nut 134 isthreaded through the upstanding finger 133 and into operative engagementwith the outer surface of enlarged diameter portion 128 of wheel 127 sothat the arm 132 and finger 133 may be locked in different adjustmentangular positions relative to the wheel 127.

A second limit switch engaging cam or finger 135 is fixedly secured tothe wheel 127 in angularly spaced relationship to limit switch engagingcam or finger 133, and the angular displacement between the two limitswitch engaging cams or fingers is adjusted by means of the lock nut 134and lever arm 132. The angular displacement between the limit switchengaging cams is normally selected so that the electrodes are caused totraverse a distance of approximately 4 to 8 inches on the surface ofroll 22.

A pair of limit switches 136 and 137 are mounted on the housing 122 atopposite sides thereof and are arranged so that cam or finger 135engages limit switch 137 and cam or finger 133 engages limit switch 136.

In operation, as the motor 114 causes the oscillator ring 30 to rotate,the chain also engages wheel and causes the wheel 125 to rotate, thuscausing belt to rotate wheel 127 and thus cause the limit switchengaging fingers or cams 133 and to engage a respective limit switch,depending upon the direction of rotation. If the oscillating ring iscaused to rotate initially in a clockwise direction by motor 114, thelimit switch engaging finger 135 engages limit switch 137 after apredetermined angular displacement of the ring 30, and the motor 114 iscaused to reverse its direction of operation to rotate the ring 30 in acounter clock-- wise direction. After apredetermined angulardisplacement in the counter clockwise direction, limit switch engagingfinger or cam 133 engages limit switch 136 and effects reversal of thedirection of operation of motor 114 to again cause rotation of the ring30 in a clockwise direction. This cycle of operation repeats for aprdetermined period of time or numbr of operations as determined by aprogrammed control arrangement or by an operator or any suitable timingdevice associated therewith.

The mold means 25 for cooling and shaping the weld metal deposited onthe roll 22 is illustrated in greatest detail in FIGS. 7, 10, 21 and 22.The mold means 25 includes the cooling ring support bracket 26, coolingring holder bracket 27, cooling ring 28, and an insert 138. The coolingring bracket support 26 includes an annular base or bottom plate 139having a plurality of apertures or openings 140 therein adjacent theouter circumference thereof and a central opening 141 in the middlethereof. A plurality of dowels or locating pins 142 are suitably securedto the lower platform 12 and extend through the openings or'apertures140 in the plate 139 to accurately locate the cooling ring bracketsupport 26 relative to platform 12 and roll 22 supported in the machine.A support cylinder 143 is welded or otherwise suitably secured at itslower end to the base plate 139 and has a slightly larger diameter thanthe central opening 141 therethrough. An annular support ring 144 iswelded or otherwise suitably secured to the upper end of supportcylinder 143. The support ring 144 also has an opening 145 in the centerthereof of larger diameter than the insert 138 but of smaller diameterthan the opening'141 through base plate 139. A plurality of reinforcingwebs 146 and 147 are welded to the inside and outside, respectively, ofthe support cylinder 143 and to the base plate 139 and support ring 144to reinforce and rigidify the cooling ring bracket support 26.

The cooling ring holder bracket 27 is supported on top the support ring144 of the cooling ring support bracket and includes an annular basering or plate 148. having a plurality of apertures 149 therethroughadjacent the outer marginal edge thereof and through which are extendeda plurality of locating posts or pins 150 secured to the plate 144 onthe cooling ring support bracket to accurately align the cooling ringsupport bracket and cooling ring holder bracket. The plate 148 has acentral opening 151 therethrough of substantially the same diameter asthe opening 145 in the subadjacent plate 144 of the cooling ring supportbracket, and an upstanding support cylinder 152 is welded at its lowerend on top of the plate 148 intermediate the inner and outer marginaledges thereof. A plurality of vertically extending slots 153 are formedinthe cylinder 152 extending from adjacent the lower edge therof throughthe upper edge thereof, and a plurality of annular ring segments 153 arewelded to the inner upper marginal edge surface of the cylinder 152,with the upper edges thereof projecting slightly above the upper edge orend of cylinder 152. The segments correspond in length to the distancebetween adjacent slots 153.

The cooling and shaping ring or mold 28 comprises an inner cylinder 154having a slightly inwardly and downwardly tapered inner surface 155 anda cylindrical outer surface 156 with a'plurality of helical grooves orchannels 157 formed therein extending from spaced inlet points 158 aboutthe circumference at the top thereof to corresponding spaced outletpoints 159 spaced about the circumference at the bottom thereof. Anouter, enclosing ring or sleeve 160 of copper, steel, bronze or othermaterial is welded or otherwise suitably secured to the outer surface ofthe cylinder 154 and encloses the grooves or channels 157 to form aplurality of separate water passage means 161 extending from the inlets158 adjacent the top of the cooling and shaping ring 28 to the outlets159 adjacent the bottom thereof. Each water passage 161 extends at leastpartially around the circumference of the ring 28, and preferably thewater passages extend several times around the cooling ring from aninlet opening at the top thereof to an outlet opening at the bottomthereof. Thus, several separate helical coolant water passages areformed in the cooling and shaping ring extending from the top to thebottom thereof for circulation of coolant water from the top downwardlythrough the cooling ring and out near the bottom thereof. Thisarrangement of coolant passages results in cooling of the molten puddleof weld metal from the top to the bottom of the puddle and a much betterheat transfer and much more effective cooling of the weld metal witheven less coolant water is achieved than with conventionalconstructions.

A plurality of relatively short pipe fittings or nipples 162 and 163 areconnected with the inlet and outlet openings 158 and 159, respectively,through the outer sleeve or ring for connecting the coolant waterpassages 161 with a suitable source of water and a suitable sump ordrain, respectively. When the mold means 25 is assembled, these pipefittings or nipples 162 and 163 are received in the slots 153 in thecooling ring holder bracket cylinder 152.

The insert 138 has a tapered outer surface 164 corresponding in size andshape to the surface 155 on the inner cylinder or ring 154 of thecooling and shaping ring, and is adapted to engage the surface 154 towedge the insert 138 and cooling ring together for movement verticallyupwardly along a roll during a welding operation. The insert has acylindrical inner surface 165 sized and shaped to provide the desiredconfiguration to the weld metal deposited on the surface of a roll orother article. The insert serves to reduce the distance between theouter surface of the roll and the inner ring 154 and thus make the bestpossible use of the heat conductivity of the copper units. Differentsize inserts can be used for different size rolls or for differentthicknesses of the coating deposited.

The cooling and shaping means or mold 28, including the insert 138,inner ring 154, and outer ring or sleeve 160, are all preferably formedof copper, and the inner and outer rings are welded together to insureagainst leaks. The insert 138 is also preferably made of copper.

As seen in FIGS. 10 and 21, a plurality of pipes or conduits 166 extendfrom an intake manifold or header means 167 located adjacent one edge ofthe platform 12 to the inlet pipe fittings or nipples 162 to conductcoolant water to the mold 25. Similarly, a plurality of conduits 168extend from the outlet fittings or nipples 163 in the cooling ring to anoutlet manifold or header 169 at the edge of the platform adjacent theinlet manifold or header 167 for conducting coolant water away from themold. The conduits 166 and 168 are connected to the nipples 162 and 163through suitable pipe couplings 170', preferably of the quick disconnecttype.

In the use of the machine, one of the journal ends of a steel mill rollor other article to be resurfaced is placed on the roll supportbrackets, and the brackets and roll are positioned on the car C on theforwardly extending side portions thereof. The car C is then moved alongthe rails R by any suitable means into the electroslag welding machine.The platforms l0 and 12 are at this time in their raised or elevatedposition, and the roll passes through the slot or opening in the lowerplatform 12 to the center of the machine. The lift means on theforwardly extending side portions of the car are then elevated to liftor raise the roll or other article onto the centering fixture orpedestal on the base of the machine. The lifting means are then loweredso that the roll support brackets rest on the pedestal in centeredrelationship thereon. The car may then be left in position in themachine or it may be removed therefrom, as desired.

The mold means 25 is then positioned over the upper end of the roll andproperly positioned or located on the lower platform 12 by means of thecooperating pins and apertures in the cooling ring support bracket andlower platform, respectively. The upper centering device is then loweredor extended through the central opening in the upper platform intooperative engagement with'th'e upper end of the roll for accuratelycentering and holding the roll in position in the machine.

The conduits 166 and 168 are then connected with the nipples or fittings162 and 163 in the mold means and the platforms are lowered along theroll until the mold means 25 is positioned adjacent the lower endthereof as seen in'FIG. 21. The welding heads 97 are adjusted verticallyuntil they are positioned in the area between the upper end of theinsert 138 and the outer surface of the lower end of the roll 22. Thisarea is initially filled with a suitable granular welding flux or thelike and a suitable slag forming material or the like, and an arc ismomentarily struck to melt the flux and the electrode to form a moltenpuddle approximately two inches deep. After the flux and slag formingmaterial is melted, the arc is engulfed and current passes from theelectrode-to the parts through the conductive molten slag, and heatgenerated by the resistance to the flow of electrical current throughthe molten slag and the weld pool is effective to continue to melt theelectrode and to fuse that portion of the parts in the welding area tothe metal deposited from the electrode. The slag floating on top of themolten puddle shields the molten metal. I

The drive means connected to the oscillator plate 30 and the electrodesis energized to cause oscillating movement of the electrodes around thecircumference of the roll with a desired amplitude, usually on the orderof 4 to 8 inches, to insure even heat distribution and uniformpenetration of the weld. The drive means connected with the lift screwsand the platforms is then energized to cause movement of the platformsand electrodes and mold means 25 upwardly along the roll as theelectrodes melt. Circulation of coolant water through the mold meansresults in rapid cooling of the molten pool of weld metal, and theinsert shapes or molds the weld metal as it is cooled and hardened tothus achieve a desired configuration of the weld metal on the outersurface of the roll.

The platforms are moved upwardly along the roll until the electrodes andmold means extend slightly upwardly beyond the upperend of the roll andthe various drive means and electrodes and then de-energized to preventfurther movement of the platforms or oscillator and further depositionof weld metal into the area between the cooling and shaping means andthe surface of the roll. The upper centering device is than released andretracted from the upper end of the roll and the cooling the shapingring is removed from around the roll. A car is then positioned beneaththe roll support bracket and the lift means on the car raised to engagethe roll support bracket for lifting the roll support bracket and rollfrom the pedestal. The car and roll are then removed from the machine.

The lower platform is slightly larger than the others and is designed tocarry an operatorselectrical controls and the like which are necessaryfor the operator to manipulate the'v'arious drive means and weldingmeans, and also to carry whatever tools are necessary to perform thenecessary operations on the machine during the use thereof.

The oscillator ring or plate and the mold means, brackets, and spacercolumns between the platforms, or other components of the machine can bedesigned and manufactured in any size necessary to accommodate acustomers particular requirements. Normally, the machine is 35 to 40feet high and the upper and lower platforms are spaced approximately 8feet apart. The supply cables for supplying electrical, pneumatic orhydraulic power to the machine can be supported on a caterpillar tracklike arrangement to prevent pinching or kinking of the cables duringraising and lowering of the platforms.

Further, although the invention has been described with reference to acylindrical workpiece or article, other motions can be imparted to thewelding heads as desired. For example, movement in the X and Ydirections. can be accomplished in place of rotation by change in designof the oscillating unit. For example, a variable speed oscillation canbe accomplished through electrical motors and a hydraulic system orthrough a complete hydraulic, pneumatic or electrical system, wherein agear drive or friction drive or other method of motion such as cam meansor the like can be used to impart the desired motion to the oscillatorplate and welding heads.

As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, the presentembodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, since thescope of the in vention is defined by the appended claims rather than bythe description preceding them, and all changes that fall within themetes and bounds of the claims or that form their functional as well asconjointly cooperative equivalents, are therefore intended to beembraced by those claims.-

What is claimed is:

1. An electroslag welding machine for depositing a layer of metal ontoan article, comprising a base, a frame means supported on the base, anarticle support pedestal on the base for supporting an article thereonwith the axis of the article vertically disposed, a fixed, roof platformsecured on top of said frame means, a telescopic upper support securedon said roof platform and extending vertically downwardly therefrom intosupporting engagement with the upper end of the article, a first,movable, upper platform supported on said framemeans below said fixedroof platform for vertical movement relative to the frame means,weldingmeans carried on said upper movable platform, said welding meansdisposed in close proximity to said article fordepositing weld metalonto said article, a second, movable, lower platform supported on saidframe means in vertically spaced relationship below said first movableplatform, elongate spacermeans releasably connected at opposite endsthereof to said upper and lower movable platforms releasably securingsaid platforms together in said vertically spaced relationship to permitvertical adjustment of the spacing between the platforms, cooling andshaping means carried on said lower movable platform, said cooling andshaping means disposed in closely spaced relationship to said article todefine a spacebetween the article and the cooling and shaping means, thewelding means including welding electrode means extending into the spacebetween the article and the cooling and shaping means, and drive meanscarried by the roof platform and connected to only said upper movableplatform to cause vertical movement of said upper and lower movableplatforms in unison to thus cause vertical movement of said weldingelectrode means and said cooling and shaping thereto about a verticalaxis, a radially extending annular flange on the peripheral marginaledge of said oscillating ring, a plurality of horizontal rollers securedto the underside of said platform and engaged with the underside of saidflange to support said oscillating ring on the underside of saidplatform, a plurality of vertical rollers secured to the underside ofsaid platform and engaged with the outer peripheral edge of said flangeto maintain the position of saidoscillating ring relative to the centerof said platform, a flexible drive means operatively engaged in at leastpartially surrounding relationship with the peripheral marginal edge ofsaid oscillating ring, reversible motor means operatively connected tosaid flexible drive means to impart movement thereto and thus to saidring, control means operatively connected with said reversible motormeans to cause reverse operation of said motor means and thus saidflexible drive means and oscillating ring in a second direction after apredetermined amplitude of operation thereof in a first direction,electrode support bracket means carried by said oscillating ring,welding electrode means supported by the electrode support bracket meansfor movement therewith, said welding electrode means disposed closelyadjacent said article for both vertical and oscillating movementrelative thereto as said platform is moved vertically and said ring isoscillated, to deposit weld metal on the article, and cooling andshaping means disposed closely adjacent said article to cool and shapethe weld metal deposited on the article.

3; An electroslag welding machine for depositing metal onto an article,comprising a base'means,'a frame means supported on the base means,means on said base means for supporting an elongate, cylindrical steelmill roll thereon with the axis thereof extending vertically, a firstmovable platform supported on said frame means, welding means carried bysaid first movable platform for depositing weld metal on said article, asecond movable platform supported on said frame means, and a cylindricalcooling and shaping means supported on said second movable platform withits axis substantially vertically disposed and positioned closelyadjacent said roll in surrounding relationship thereto for cooling andshaping weld metal deposited on said article, said cooling and shapingmeans having opposite ends and a plurality of separate, helical coolantwater passage means therein extending at least partially therearound andextending from one end to the other end thereof, inlet meanscommunicating with each of the passage means at one end of the coolingand shaping means, and outlet means communicating with each of thepassage means at the other end of the cooling and shaping means, toeffect circulation of coolant water through each of said passage meansfrom said one end to the other end of said cooling and shaping'meansthus to cool a molten puddle of weld metal deposited on said articlebetween the article and the cooling and shaping means as said secondmovable platform and cooling and shaping means are moved verticallyrelative to said article.

4. An electroslag welding machine for depositing a layer of metal ontoan article, comprising a frame means havinga top and bottom, a centeringdevice and base support means adjacent the bottom of said frame meansfor supporting and article thereon in centered relationship in saidframe means, a top support and centering means carried by the framemeans adjacent the top of said frame means for engaging said article atan upper portion thereof to maintain said article in a centered positionin said frame means,said top support means including a first cylindricalportion secured to an upper portion of the frame means and extendingvertically downwardly therefrom, said first cylindrical portion beinglaterally adjustable relative to said frame means for alignment of saidtop support means relative to said frame means and an article supportedtherein, a second, telescoping, cylindrical portion telescopicallyengaged with the first cylindrical portion for vertical adjustmentrelative thereto and to an article supported in the frame means foroperative engagement and disengagement with articles of differentvertical dimension, a chuck type adaptor secured to the lower end ofsaid telescoping portion of said top support means for engaging andsupporting articles of different horizontal dimension in centeredrelationship in said machine, welding means carried by a movable portionof the frame means for movement relative to the article, and cooling andshaping means carried by a movable portion of the frame means anddisposed in closely spaced relationship to said article to define aspace therebetween, said welding means including welding electrode meansextending into said space into close proximity with said article todeposit weld metal on said article, and said cooling and shaping meansbeing movable relative to said article to cool and shape the weld metaldeposited thereon.

5. An electroslag welding machine for depositing weld metal onto anouter surface of an elongate article, comprising a base, a frame meanssupported on said base, means on said base for supporting said articlethereon with the axis of the article vertically disposed, said framemeans including a first vertically movable portion, welding meanscarried on said first vertically movable portion and positioned todeposit weld metal on said article, said frame means including a secondvertically movable portion, a cooling and shaping means closely adjacentsaid article in coaxial surrounding relationship thereto to cool andshape the weld metal deposited on the article, said cooling and shapingmeans comprising a tubular, water cooled cooling ring, support meanssupporting said cooling and shaping means on said second verticallymovable portion, said support means including a tubular cooling ringsupport bracket having upper and lower open ends and secured at thelower end thereof on said second vertically movable portion in coaxial,surrounding relationship with a lower end portion of the article, acooling ring holder bracket having upper and lower open ends and securedat its lower end on the upper end of the cooling ring support bracket incoaxial alignment therewith and in coaxial, surrounding relationshipwith a lower end portion of said article, said cooling ring supportedsubstantially concentrically within said cooling ring holder bracket andin close, surrounding relationship to said article.

6. An electroslag welding machine for depositing a layer of metal ontoan article, comprising a frame means having a top and bottom, acentering device and base support means adjacent the bottom of saidframe means for supporting said article thereon in centered relationshipin said frame means, an upper support and centering means carried by theframe means adjacent the top of said frame means for engaging saidarticle at an upper portion thereof to maintain said article in acentered position in said frame means, said upper support means beingadjustable to accommodate articles of different size, welding meanscarried by the frame means for movement relative to the article, coolingand shaping means disposed in closely spaced relationship to saidarticle to define a space therebetween, said welding means includingwelding electrode means extending into said space into close proximitywith said article to deposit weld metal on said article, said coolingand shaping means being movable relative to said article to cool andshape the weld metal deposited thereon, and transfer means fortransferring an article from a location remote from said frame meansinto position within said frame means and onto said centering device andbase support means, said transfer means comprising a wheeled vehicle,support means on said wheeled vehicle for supporting said articlethereon, said wheeled vehicle having spaced apart portions defining aspace therebetween, said spaced apart portions adpated to extend oneither side beyond said centering device and base support means toposition an article supported on the wheeled vehicle in verticalalignment with the base support means, and lift means connected withsaid support means on said wheeled vehicle to lower the article ontosaid base support means and to lift it therefrom.

7. An electroslag welding machine as in claim 1, wherein said framemeans includes four spaced apart, vertically extending, parallel supportcolumns, said roof platform secured-on the upper ends of said supportcolumns, and said upper and lower platformsslidably arranged on said'support columns for vertical movement relative thereto.

8. An electroslag welding machine as in claim 7, wherein said drivemeans comprises motor means, and means connected between said motormeans and said upper platform for raising and lowering said upperplatform.

.9. An electroslag welding machine as in claim 8, wherein said drivemeans is secured on top of the roof platform, and lift screw means areconnected with said upper platform and extend vertically upwardly tosaid roof platform, said motor means being connected with said liftscrew means through suitable gear means for raising and lowering saidupper platform.

10. An electroslag welding machine as in claim 9, wherein said lowerplatform is releasably connected to said upper platform through saidspacer means, and said spacer means comprises a plurality of spacercolumns releasably connected at their opposite ends to the upper andlower platforms, respectively.

11. An electroslag welding machine as in claim 1, wherein said weldingelectrode means are carried on an oscillator ring, said oscillator ringbeing connected to the upper platform for oscillating movement relativethereto.

12. An electroslag welding machine as in claim 11, wherein drive meansis carried by said upper platform and operatively connected with saidoscillator ring for causing oscillation of said oscillator ring and saidwelding electrode means carried thereby.

13. An electroslag welding machine as in claim 12, wherein said drivemeans includes reversible motor means and drive chain means connectedbetween said motor means and said oscillator ring, and motor con trolmeans operatively connected with said chain means and said motor meansfor causing reverse operation of said motor means and movement of saidchain means and said oscillator ring in a second direction after apredetermined amplitude of oscillation of said oscillator ring in afirst direction.

14. An electroslag welding machine as in claim 13, wherein said controlmeans comprises a sprocket engaged with said chain means, limit switchengaging means adjacent said sprocket means and connected with saidsprocket means for movement therewith, limit switch means adjacent saidlimit switch engaging means in a position to be engaged by said limitswitch engaging means upon predetermined movement thereof to determinethe amplitude of oscillation of the oscillator ring.

15. An electroslag welding machine as in claim 14, wherein said weldingmeans includes welding wire supply means on top of said upper platform,welding wire feed means connected to said oscillator ring for feedingsaid welding wire, and guide means connected to the wire feed means andpositioned to guide the welding wire fed by the wire feed means into thespace between the cooling and shaping means and the article.

16. An electroslag welding machine as in claim 15, wherein said wirefeeding means and said electrode means are adjustably carried by saidoscillator ring for vertical and lateral adjustment relative thereto andto said article.

17. An electroslag welding machine as in claim 1, wherein said articlesupport pedestal has centering means thereon for supporting an articlein centered relationship in said machine.

18. An electroslag welding machine as in claim 6, wherein said uppercentering and support device includes a telescoping means which movesvertically up and down into and out of engagement with said article,said telescoping means enabling said upper centering and support deviceto accommodate different size articles.

19. An electroslag welding machine as in claim 18, wherein said articlecomprises an elongate, solid, cylindrical steel mill roll supported insaid machine with the axis thereof extending vertically, and said lowerplatform has an entry slot through one side thereof to enable said rollto be positioned in the machine.

20. An electroslag welding machine as in claim 19, wherein said coolingand shaping means comprises a mold means positioned around said roll forcooling and shaping the weld metal deposited on the roll.

21. An electroslag welding machine as in claim 20, wherein said moldmeans is supported on top of said lower platform in surroundingrelationship to said roll and includes a cooling ring support bracketattached to the lower platform in aligned centered relationship theretoand a cooling ring holder bracket supported on

1. An electroslag welding machine for depositing a layer of metal ontoan article, comprising a base, a frame means supported on the base, anarticle support pedestal on the base for supporting an article thereonwith the axis of the article vertically disposed, a fixed, roof platformsecured on top of said frame means, a telescopic upper support securedon said roof platform and extending vertically downwardly therefrom intosupporting engagement with the upper end of the article, a first,movable, upper platform supported on said frame means below said fixedroof platform for vertical movement relative to the frame means, weldingmeans carried on said upper movable platform, said welding meansdisposed in close proximity to said article for depositing weld metalonto said article, a second, movable, lower platform supported on saidframe means in vertically spaced relationship below said first movableplatform, elongate spacer means releasably connected at opposite endsthereof to said upper and lower movable platforms releasably securingsaid platforms together in said vertically spaced relationship to permitvertical adjustment of the spacing between the platforms, cooling andshaping means carried on said lower movable platform, said cooling andshaping means disposed in closely spaced relationship to said article todefine a space between the article and the cooling and shaping means,the welding means including welding electrode means extending into thespace between the article and the cooling and shaping means, and drivemeans carried by the roof platform and connected to only said uppermovable platform to cause vertical movement of said upper and lowermovable platforms in unison to thus cause vertical movement of saidwelding electrode means and said cooling and shaping means togetherrelative to the article to deposit weld metal on the article, and tocool and shape the weld metal deposited on said article.
 2. Anelectroslag welding machine for depositing weld metal onto an article,comprising a base, frame means supported on said base, means on saidbase for supporting an article thereon, a vertically movable platformcarried by the frame means, a welding electrode support means carried bythe platform, said electrode support means including an annularoscillating ring supported on the underside of said platform forvertical movement therewith and oscillating movement relative theretoabout a vertical axis, a radially extending annular flange on theperipheral marginal edge of said oscillating ring, a plurality ofhorizontal rollers secured to the underside of said platform and engagedwith the underside of said flange to support said oscillating ring onthe underside of said platform, a plurality of vertical rollers securedto the underside of said platform and engaged with the outer peripheraledge of said flange to maintain the position of said oscillating ringrelative to the center of said platform, a flexible drive meansoperatively engaged in at least partially surrounding relationship withthe peripheral marginal edge of said oscillating ring, reversible motormeans operatively connected to said flexible drive means to impartmovement thereto and thus to said ring, control means operativelyconnected with said reversible motor means to cause reverse operAtion ofsaid motor means and thus said flexible drive means and oscillating ringin a second direction after a predetermined amplitude of operationthereof in a first direction, electrode support bracket means carried bysaid oscillating ring, welding electrode means supported by theelectrode support bracket means for movement therewith, said weldingelectrode means disposed closely adjacent said article for both verticaland oscillating movement relative thereto as said platform is movedvertically and said ring is oscillated, to deposit weld metal on thearticle, and cooling and shaping means disposed closely adjacent saidarticle to cool and shape the weld metal deposited on the article.
 3. Anelectroslag welding machine for depositing metal onto an article,comprising a base means, a frame means supported on the base means,means on said base means for supporting an elongate, cylindrical steelmill roll thereon with the axis thereof extending vertically, a firstmovable platform supported on said frame means, welding means carried bysaid first movable platform for depositing weld metal on said article, asecond movable platform supported on said frame means, and a cylindricalcooling and shaping means supported on said second movable platform withits axis substantially vertically disposed and positioned closelyadjacent said roll in surrounding relationship thereto for cooling andshaping weld metal deposited on said article, said cooling and shapingmeans having opposite ends and a plurality of separate, helical coolantwater passage means therein extending at least partially therearound andextending from one end to the other end thereof, inlet meanscommunicating with each of the passage means at one end of the coolingand shaping means, and outlet means communicating with each of thepassage means at the other end of the cooling and shaping means, toeffect circulation of coolant water through each of said passage meansfrom said one end to the other end of said cooling and shaping meansthus to cool a molten puddle of weld metal deposited on said articlebetween the article and the cooling and shaping means as said secondmovable platform and cooling and shaping means are moved verticallyrelative to said article.
 4. An electroslag welding machine fordepositing a layer of metal onto an article, comprising a frame meanshaving a top and bottom, a centering device and base support meansadjacent the bottom of said frame means for supporting and articlethereon in centered relationship in said frame means, a top support andcentering means carried by the frame means adjacent the top of saidframe means for engaging said article at an upper portion thereof tomaintain said article in a centered position in said frame means,saidtop support means including a first cylindrical portion secured to anupper portion of the frame means and extending vertically downwardlytherefrom, said first cylindrical portion being laterally adjustablerelative to said frame means for alignment of said top support meansrelative to said frame means and an article supported therein, a second,telescoping, cylindrical portion telescopically engaged with the firstcylindrical portion for vertical adjustment relative thereto and to anarticle supported in the frame means for operative engagement anddisengagement with articles of different vertical dimension, a chucktype adaptor secured to the lower end of said telescoping portion ofsaid top support means for engaging and supporting articles of differenthorizontal dimension in centered relationship in said machine, weldingmeans carried by a movable portion of the frame means for movementrelative to the article, and cooling and shaping means carried by amovable portion of the frame means and disposed in closely spacedrelationship to said article to define a space therebetween, saidwelding means including welding electrode means extending into saidspace into close proximity with said article to deposit weld metal onsaid articLe, and said cooling and shaping means being movable relativeto said article to cool and shape the weld metal deposited thereon. 5.An electroslag welding machine for depositing weld metal onto an outersurface of an elongate article, comprising a base, a frame meanssupported on said base, means on said base for supporting said articlethereon with the axis of the article vertically disposed, said framemeans including a first vertically movable portion, welding meanscarried on said first vertically movable portion and positioned todeposit weld metal on said article, said frame means including a secondvertically movable portion, a cooling and shaping means closely adjacentsaid article in coaxial surrounding relationship thereto to cool andshape the weld metal deposited on the article, said cooling and shapingmeans comprising a tubular, water cooled cooling ring, support meanssupporting said cooling and shaping means on said second verticallymovable portion, said support means including a tubular cooling ringsupport bracket having upper and lower open ends and secured at thelower end thereof on said second vertically movable portion in coaxial,surrounding relationship with a lower end portion of the article, acooling ring holder bracket having upper and lower open ends and securedat its lower end on the upper end of the cooling ring support bracket incoaxial alignment therewith and in coaxial, surrounding relationshipwith a lower end portion of said article, said cooling ring supportedsubstantially concentrically within said cooling ring holder bracket andin close, surrounding relationship to said article.
 6. An electroslagwelding machine for depositing a layer of metal onto an article,comprising a frame means having a top and bottom, a centering device andbase support means adjacent the bottom of said frame means forsupporting said article thereon in centered relationship in said framemeans, an upper support and centering means carried by the frame meansadjacent the top of said frame means for engaging said article at anupper portion thereof to maintain said article in a centered position insaid frame means, said upper support means being adjustable toaccommodate articles of different size, welding means carried by theframe means for movement relative to the article, cooling and shapingmeans disposed in closely spaced relationship to said article to definea space therebetween, said welding means including welding electrodemeans extending into said space into close proximity with said articleto deposit weld metal on said article, said cooling and shaping meansbeing movable relative to said article to cool and shape the weld metaldeposited thereon, and transfer means for transferring an article from alocation remote from said frame means into position within said framemeans and onto said centering device and base support means, saidtransfer means comprising a wheeled vehicle, support means on saidwheeled vehicle for supporting said article thereon, said wheeledvehicle having spaced apart portions defining a space therebetween, saidspaced apart portions adpated to extend on either side beyond saidcentering device and base support means to position an article supportedon the wheeled vehicle in vertical alignment with the base supportmeans, and lift means connected with said support means on said wheeledvehicle to lower the article onto said base support means and to lift ittherefrom.
 7. An electroslag welding machine as in claim 1, wherein saidframe means includes four spaced apart, vertically extending, parallelsupport columns, said roof platform secured on the upper ends of saidsupport columns, and said upper and lower platforms slidably arranged onsaid support columns for vertical movement relative thereto.
 8. Anelectroslag welding machine as in claim 7, wherein said drive meanscomprises motor means, and means connected between said motor means andsaid upper platform for raising and lowering said upper platform.
 9. Anelectroslag welding machine as in claim 8, wherein said drive means issecured on top of the roof platform, and lift screw means are connectedwith said upper platform and extend vertically upwardly to said roofplatform, said motor means being connected with said lift screw meansthrough suitable gear means for raising and lowering said upperplatform.
 10. An electroslag welding machine as in claim 9, wherein saidlower platform is releasably connected to said upper platform throughsaid spacer means, and said spacer means comprises a plurality of spacercolumns releasably connected at their opposite ends to the upper andlower platforms, respectively.
 11. An electroslag welding machine as inclaim 1, wherein said welding electrode means are carried on anoscillator ring, said oscillator ring being connected to the upperplatform for oscillating movement relative thereto.
 12. An electroslagwelding machine as in claim 11, wherein drive means is carried by saidupper platform and operatively connected with said oscillator ring forcausing oscillation of said oscillator ring and said welding electrodemeans carried thereby.
 13. An electroslag welding machine as in claim12, wherein said drive means includes reversible motor means and drivechain means connected between said motor means and said oscillator ring,and motor control means operatively connected with said chain means andsaid motor means for causing reverse operation of said motor means andmovement of said chain means and said oscillator ring in a seconddirection after a predetermined amplitude of oscillation of saidoscillator ring in a first direction.
 14. An electroslag welding machineas in claim 13, wherein said control means comprises a sprocket engagedwith said chain means, limit switch engaging means adjacent saidsprocket means and connected with said sprocket means for movementtherewith, limit switch means adjacent said limit switch engaging meansin a position to be engaged by said limit switch engaging means uponpredetermined movement thereof to determine the amplitude of oscillationof the oscillator ring.
 15. An electroslag welding machine as in claim14, wherein said welding means includes welding wire supply means on topof said upper platform, welding wire feed means connected to saidoscillator ring for feeding said welding wire, and guide means connectedto the wire feed means and positioned to guide the welding wire fed bythe wire feed means into the space between the cooling and shaping meansand the article.
 16. An electroslag welding machine as in claim 15,wherein said wire feeding means and said electrode means are adjustablycarried by said oscillator ring for vertical and lateral adjustmentrelative thereto and to said article.
 17. An electroslag welding machineas in claim 1, wherein said article support pedestal has centering meansthereon for supporting an article in centered relationship in saidmachine.
 18. An electroslag welding machine as in claim 6, wherein saidupper centering and support device includes a telescoping means whichmoves vertically up and down into and out of engagement with saidarticle, said telescoping means enabling said upper centering andsupport device to accommodate different size articles.
 19. Anelectroslag welding machine as in claim 18, wherein said articlecomprises an elongate, solid, cylindrical steel mill roll supported insaid machine with the axis thereof extending vertically, and said lowerplatform has an entry slot through one side thereof to enable said rollto be positioned in the machine.
 20. An electroslag welding machine asin claim 19, wherein said cooling and shaping means comprises a moldmeans positioned around said roll for cooling and shaping the weld metaldeposited on the roll.
 21. An electroslag welding machine as in claim20, wherein said mold means is supported on top of said lower platformin surrounding relationship to said roll and includes a cooling ringsupport bracket attAched to the lower platform in aligned centeredrelationship thereto and a cooling ring holder bracket supported on topof said cooling ring support bracket, said cooling and shaping meansincluding a cooling and shaping ring supported inside said cooling ringholder bracket.
 22. An electroslag welding machine as in claim 21,wherein said cooling and shaping means is water cooled and has aplurality of separate water coolant passages therein extending from theupper end to the lower end thereof.
 23. An electroslag welding mahcineas in claim 3, wherein said cooling and shaping means comprises an innercylinder having a tapered inner surface and a plurality of helicalgrooves or channels in the outer surface thereof, and an outer cylinderor sleeve welded or otherwise suitably secured over the outer surface ofsaid inner cylinder for closing said grooves or channels to define aplurality of separate helical water passageways having inlets at the topof said cooling and shaping means and outlets at the bottom thereof. 24.An electroslag welding machine as in claim 23, wherein a separate insertis fitted within said inner cylinder of said cooling and shaping means,said insert having a cylindrical inner surface and a tapered outersurface of substantially the same size and shape as the tapered innersurface of said inner cylinder.
 25. An electroslag welding machine as inclaim 24, wherein said insert is formed of copper.
 26. An electroslagwelding machine as in claim 25, wherein said inner cylinder is formed ofcopper.
 27. An electroslag welding machine as in claim 21, wherein saidcooling ring holder bracket has a plurality of vertically extendingslots therein opening upwardly through the upper end thereof, and aplurality of relatively short pipe fittings or nipples are connectedwith the inlets and outlets of said water passageways, said pipefittings or nipples being received in said slots in said cooling ringholder bracket.
 28. An electroslag welding machine as in claim 21,wherein conduit means are connected with said inlet pipe fittings ornipples and with an inlet header or manifold adjacent one edge of thelower platform, and conduit means are connected with the outlet pipefittings or nipples and with an outlet header or manifold adjacent saidinlet header or manifold at said one edge of said lower platform.
 29. Anelectroslag welding apparatus as in claim 2, wherein said oscillatingring has a plurality of radially extending slots therein, said weldingelectrode support means are adjustably connected to said slots formovement therealong to adjust the radial position of said weldingelectrode means for accommodating articles of different size in saidmachine.
 30. An electroslag welding apparatus as in claim 29, whereinsaid welding electrode support means is vertically adjustable relativeto said oscillating ring and said article.
 31. An electroslag weldingapparatus as in claim 30, wherein welding wire supply means aresupported on top of said upper platform for supplying welding wire tosaid welding electrode means, said welding wire being supported on wireguides on the upper platform for preventing crimping of the welding wireas it is fed from said supply means to said welding electrode means. 32.An electroslag welding apparatus as in claim 31, wherein wire feed meansare mounted on said electrode support means for feeding the welding wirefrom the supply means to the electrode means.
 33. An electroslag weldingapparatus as in claim 32, wherein said cooling and shaping means iswater cooled and includes a cooling ring having a plurality of helicalwater passages therein extending from the top to the bottom thereof, andwater inlet and outlet means connected with the water passages adjacentthe top and bottom thereof, respectively.
 34. An electroslag weldingapparatus as in claim 4, wherein said frame means includes a roofplatform, said top support means being carried by the roof platformadjacent the center thereof.
 35. An electroslag welding apparatus as inclaim 34, wherein said upper portion of said top support means isadjustably fixed to the underside of said roof platform and extendsvertically downwardly therefrom, said telescoping portion beingtelescopically received inside said first cylindrical portion, and driverod means connected with the upper end of said telescoping portion andextending longitudinally through said first cylindrical portion to abovesaid roof platform and connected to suitable drive means for raising andlowering said telescoping portion of said top support means.
 36. Anelectroslag welding machine as in claim 35, wherein said telescopingportion extends downwardly through an opening in the center of an upperplatform carried by said frame means, said welding electrode means beingcarried by said upper platform.
 37. An electroslag welding machine as inclaim 2, wherein said electrode support bracket means includes means forvertical and lateral adjustment of said bracket means and electrodemeans relative to said oscillating ring and said article.
 38. Anelectroslag welding machine as in claim 37, wherein said weldingelectrode support means further includes wire feed means for feedingwelding wire from a supply means carried on said platform to saidwelding electrode means.
 39. An electroslag welding machine as in claim2, wherein said flexible drive means comprises a chain means disposed insurrounding relationship to the marginal edge of said oscillating ringand secured to said oscillating ring at least at one point thereof. 40.An electroslag welding machine as in claim 39, wherein said reversiblemotor means is connected with said chain means through a worm gearreducer.
 41. An electroslag welding machine as in claim 40, wherein saidcontrol means includes limit switch means operatively associated withsaid chain means for sensing the amplitude of oscillation of saidoscillating ring to effect switching of said reversible motor from onedirection of movement to another direction of movement upon apredetermined amount of travel of said chain means and oscillating ring.42. An electroslag welding machine as in claim 41, wherein said controlmeans includes a housing, a first axle disposed adjacent one side ofsaid housing, a sprocket wheel mounted for rotation about the first axleand engaged with said chain means so that movement of said chain meanscauses rotation of said sprocket wheel, a second axle mounted in saidhousing spaced from said first axle, a second wheel mounted for rotationabout said second axle, belt means engaged with a hub means on saidsprocket wheel and with a hub means on said second wheel for causingrotation of said second wheel along with rotation of said sprocketwheel, and a pair of circumferentially spaced limit switch engagingmeans carried by said second wheel in a position to engage a respectiveone of a pair of limit switches mounted at opposite sides of saidhousing.
 43. An electroslag welding machine as in claim 42, wherein apair of substantially identical power units are connected with saidreversible motor means to provide a fail safe arrangement so that in theevent one of said power units fails, the other power unit is effectiveto continue operating said oscillating ring.
 44. An electroslag weldingmachine as in claim 43, wherein said reversible motor means comprises adual vane hydraulic motor.